ARLINGTON, Texas — Angels outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. was on the bench in favor of Juan Rivera for the second consecutive game Thursday, and he wasn’t trying to pretend he is happy about it.

“I don’t know if any player ever agrees with taking unwanted days off,” Matthews said. “I do know my numbers should be better than they are.”

Matthews said he was “a little surprised” when Manager Mike Scioscia called him into his office on Wednesday to tell him that Rivera would be starting in his place for the time being.

“We agree to disagree,” Matthews said of the meeting. “And I think Mike expects me to disagree with that.

“That’s just me wanting to be in the lineup, wanting to play and get better and getting better to me means getting out there and playing.”

Matthews said he did agree that Scioscia had given him plenty of playing time to try and solve his offensive problems. Matthews has started 79 games despite having an average under .240 for nearly all of that time. He has just 13 hits in 68 at-bats (.191) over his past 22 games.

“They’ve given me every opportunity to make adjustments and play better,” Matthews said. “Hopefully, they’ll continue to give me that opportunity.”

Scioscia said Matthews has been bothered by tendinitis in his left knee, a problem that cropped up last season, too. But Matthews said he came into the season knowing the knee pain probably would be chronic.

“It’s there. I don’t want to use it as an excuse,” he said. “I don’t know (if the knee is a factor in his poor performance). I don’t even want to talk about it. I just want to keep working on it.”

Matthews said he was not told by Scioscia how long his playing time will be cut though Rivera is likely to get most of those at-bats at least through the All-Star break.

“They haven’t told me that,” Matthews said. “I just know I’ll continue to prepare every day like I always do.”

ESCOBAR UPDATE

General Manager Tony Reagins said he had not heard from Kelvim Escobar or his agent with a decision on when or if Escobar will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.

Angels medical director Dr. Lewis Yocum and Mets team physician David Altchek were expected to meet at a conference in Florida and discuss Escobar’s situation. Escobar sought a second opinion from Altchek in New York on Monday, but Reagins said he had not heard from Yocum on Thursday.

ALL-STARS READY

The two Angels starting pitchers chosen for the All-Star team, Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders, are also scheduled to start the team’s final two games before the break, Saturday and Sunday in Oakland. But Scioscia said he expects both to be available to pitch in Tuesday’s game at Yankee Stadium if called upon.

“I want them to experience it if it’s going to be available to them,” Scioscia said. “I think everybody should be OK (to pitch), Joe on a more limited basis. Santana could throw two innings if they need him to.”

Saunders is scheduled to rejoin the team in Oakland on Saturday. He is in California with his wife, awaiting the birth of their first child.

NO SEXSON

The Angels have no interest in picking up first baseman Richie Sexson, released by the Seattle Mariners on Thursday.

“Richie is the type of player who needs a lot of playing time,” Scioscia said. “He has a powerful swing and still has the bat speed to be productive. But our feeling is that he needs to play a lot. I don’t know if we have enough at-bats for him. We already have guys on the bench who need at-bats and I don’t know if Richie would be a fit.”

Sexson, 33, hit .218 with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs in 74 games for the Mariners this season.